Hundreds of New Zealand protesters have gathered near the Parliament building in the country’s capital Wellington, demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. Arriving in convoy from around the country, cars, trucks, camper vans, and other vehicles jammed the capital’s streets for hours as they got out to meet and speak on Parliament’s forecourt. Protesters carrying signs and flags against vaccine requirements and other restrictions took to city streets. In New Zealand, teachers, doctors, nurses, police, and military personnel are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Masks are also required in stores and among children over age 8 in school classrooms. Vehicles covered with messages such as “give us back our freedom” and “coercion is not consent” stationed themselves in the streets surrounding the Parliament building, AFP reported. Stu Main, from Wellington, told AFP that he believes people should be free to choose …